Choosing the right course

(1) RYA Start Yachting. A taster weekend to see how much you enjoy sailing. Certificated course but you can count this weekend towards a qualification if you want to go on to the next stage; which is...

(2) RYA Competent Crew Course. This is the practical sailing course where you will learn how to crew a yacht. No previous experience is needed. The course lasts 3 weekends or 5 days by which time you will be ready to move on to...

(3) RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate. A classroom based course over 3 weekends or 5 days held during the winter months. You will learn the skills and techniques needed to skipper a yacht on short passages. This course is probably essential if you intend to go onto...

(4) RYA Day Skipper Practical Certificate. This is a 5 day or 3 weekend practical sailing course putting your Day Skipper Shorebased skills into practice. We strongly recommend this course before moving on to....

(5) RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased Certificate. This is a classroom based advanced course in navigation, meteorology and collision avoidance, lasting 6 days or 3 weekends... Note the combined title. The theory standard is identical for Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster, there is not a separate course for each. You may have noticed the MCA involvement in the Certificate, more of that later when you move on to...

(6) Coastal Skipper Practical. Here is where things can look a little complicated, bear with me. Students who attend a Coastal Skipper practical course at a Sailing School and demonstrated a certain level of competence as judged by the yachts' Instructor over 3 weekends or 5days, will be awarded the RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper Course Completion Certificate. For most people that is all they need. However if you want a "full" Coastal Certificate (as used in the industry for commercial employment) then that is called the RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper Certificate of Competence. For this you will need to sail with an externally appointed, independent Examiner who will assess your skippering skills.

(7) Yachtmaster Practical. A similar procedure exists for students who wish to hold the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence. Sailing Schools can offer you a Yachtmaster Prep. course which will last 2-5 days. There is no certificate and should you decide to enter for the Yachtmaster Practical Assessment then you will need to arrange it through the school or directly through the RYA website/office in Southampton.